Energy Data Acquisition Specialist (Hybrid or Remote)

The California Independent System Operator (ISO) manages the flow of electricity across the high-voltage, long-distance power lines that make up 80 percent of California's power grid. We safeguard the economy and well-being of 30 million Californians by operating the grid reliably 24/7.

As the impartial grid operator, the California ISO opens access to the wholesale power market that is designed to diversify resources and lower prices. It also grants equal access to 25,865 circuit-miles of power lines and reduces barriers to diverse resources competing to bring power to customers.

The California ISO's function is often compared to that of air traffic controllers. It would be grossly unfair for air traffic controllers to represent one airline and profit from allowing that company's planes to go through before others. In the same way, the California ISO operates independently—managing the electron traffic on a power grid we do not own—making sure electricity is safely delivered to utilities and consumers on time and reliably.

The California ISO is committed to the health, safety, and work/life integration of its employees and is proud to offer flexible work arrangements. This position works in a hybrid or fully remote capacity.

Under the general direction of the Manager, performs and provides technical support on activities related to the configuration, testing and implementation of revenue and telemetry metering equipment and processes. Interfaces with market participants (generator owners, developers, third party engineering companies, utility representatives, etc.) regarding development and/or modifications of power generation for the ISO markets. Ensures that all ISO data acquisition (ISO metered entities) and control entities are thoroughly inspected, documented, certified and provide accurate data acquisition information and control capacity according to ISO approved certification procedures and standards. Supports, maintains, and modifies current tariff and Business Practice Manuals (BPM) language related to ISO revenue metering and telemetry policies and practices.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Participates in the design, development and maintenance of standards according to requirements associated with telemetry and revenue metering, including Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), Remote Terminal Units (RTU), Digital Control Systems (DCS), Energy Management Systems (EMS), Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA), ISO approved Remote Intelligent Gateways (RIG) and approved ISO meters.
   
• Assists market participants and associated engineering companies in troubleshooting issues affecting proposed or existing designs, development or configuration of standards according to requirements outlined in the tariff and BPMs associated with telemetry and revenue metering. Researches, evaluates and develops technical solutions to meet current or proposed tariff or BPM requirements related to telemetry or revenue metering, including analysis and resolution of non-compliant issues for entities.
   
• Supports Full Network Model (FNM) builds including deliverables affiliated with telemetry (database builds) and revenue metering (certificate of compliance) outlined within the New Resource Implementation (NRI) process to ensure commercial operation dates are met according to projected timelines. Coordinates and analyzes data for certification of resources desiring to participate in the ISO market and contractual resource reserves.
   
• Provides guidance and training to various internal and external customers, such as ISO authorized inspectors and meter inspection companies, related to matters involving the collection and processing of telemetry and revenue metering. Creates and maintains internal and external documentation, including business processes and desktop procedures, to ensure consistent practices according to ISO standards captured within the tariff and BPMs.
   
• Verifies the integrity of resources certified for ancillary services, including coordination of testing, analysis of test data, and managing the resource testing database.
   
• Represents the business unit as a subject matter expert for audits, installation, and configuration verifications to ensure that ISO approved standards and requirements are maintained.
   
• Provides support to the ISO’s control center by monitoring, troubleshooting, and resolving issues related to telemetry that are experienced in real-time.

Level of Education and Discipline:

A Bachelor's degree (BA, BS) or equivalent education, training or experience in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Technology or related field.

Amount of Experience:

Equivalent years of education and training, plus two (2) or more years related experience.

Type of Experience:

Experience as a utility industry meter technician or engineer desired. Experience with the use of test equipment in high voltage substations and generating plants. Experience with the installation and/or programming of revenue grade meters used in the collection and calculation of meter data. Experience establishing metering solutions and applications associated with the collection of meter data. Experience working with regulations, standards, codes, methods, practices, and advanced engineering principles of electrical metering instrumentation for revenue metering.

Additional Skills and Abilities:

Strong verbal and written communication and documentation skills required, with a demonstrated attention to detail.  Ability to use deductive reasoning and analytical thinking with sound judgment and decision-making skills.  Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills are also essential.  Must be self-starting and willing and able to work independently in a dynamic corporate organization under pressure of tight deadlines and aggressive expectations.  Problem solving skills with the ability to influence others without direct authority. Must be able to work effectively in a team environment as facilitator and team member.  Must be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite. 

Basic understanding of telecommunication software, hardware and circuitry as applied to WAN. Ability to configure internal and external analog modems. Ability to review and apply engineering concepts as they relateto electrical drawings, calculations and specifications for conformance with published ISO standards and protocols. Knowledgeable of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) software and Telemetry technology. Understanding of AC/DC electrical theory using algebra and trigonometry is required. Ability to install and test meters and metering-related equipment (e.g., utility meters, CT's, VT's and free-standing metering devices). Proficient in the use of various types of metering test equipment such as watt-hour test kits, burden testers, phase sequence indicators) to verify metering installations. Demonstrates an understanding of telecommunications software, hardware and circuitry. Must possess a strong background in the theory and application of current transformers, voltage transformers and capacitive couple voltage devices as used for revenue metering. Understanding of different types of generators, how they participate in the ISO market, and their system impact.

The pay range for the Energy Data Acquisition Specialist position is $41.25/hr - $57.75/hr